THE DAYTONA BEACH NEWS-JOURNAL
Daytona Beach, Florida
Wednesday, March 11, 2015


Joann Cockrell Atkinson was born on January 27, 1945 in Daytona Beach, Florida to the late Jeff and Beatrice (Pellicer) Cockrell.

She married the late Moses R. Atkinson on December 17, 1965. Together, they owned the Esso Station in Bunnell.

In the late 1960s, when Interstate 95 was built and traffic diverted from our town, they moved to Hampton, Georgia. In 1976, Moses, Joann, and Melissa (now a part of the family) moved back to Bunnell, Florida. Joann worked the switchboard and as aninsurance clerk at Bunnell General Hospital for Dr. Canakaris.

In 1981, Joann started working as the bookkeeper at Buddy Taylor Middle School from where she retired, after 23 years with Flagler County Schools. Joann loved all people, enjoyed children, watching Nascar, playing Bingo, and winning at the Slot machines. She looked forward to her trips to Biloxi, Mississippi. The apple of her eye was her precious granddaughter, Hope Bea-Elise Brock. She also adored her two grandsons, DJ and William. At the time of her death, Joann was being cared for by the loving staff at Flagler Pines Rehab. She referred to her time at Flagler Pines as a stay at her "Resort." She was blessed with the best nurses, CNAs and therapists ever. They treated her like royalty. She loved them and they loved her.

Joann was predeceased by her parents, Jeff and Beatrice Cockrell and her husband, Moses R. Atkinson.

Joann is survived by her daughter, Melissa Atkinson Brock, son in law, Donnie Brock, granddaughter, Hope Bea-Elise Brock, grandsons, Donald (Jay) Brock and William Brock, nieces and nephews, Rita Zimmerle, Robin Jones, Rhonda Pellicer, Boyce, Reed and Mickey Atkinson and many great nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services will be at 10:00 A.M. Saturday, March 14, 2015 at the First United Methodist Church in Bunnell with Pastor Elizabeth Gardner officiating. Burial will follow at Espanola Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday at the church from 4-7 P.M.

Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson-Overturf Funeral Home in Palatka.